After a 15-hour day at the Iowa State Capitol Tuesday, Rep. Rob Taylor climbed aboard his tractor and made his way through a nearly deserted downtown Des Moines toward home.

The Republican from West Des Moines opted to trade in his usual ride for the tractor, just for the day, to honor his grandfather’s 84th birthday and to show that many Iowans, no matter where they live, still have rural roots.

“It could be argued on just about every budget we have up here that there’s an urban versus rural divide,” he said. “And I think there’s a number of us up here – and I would include myself in that category – that have experience in both urban and rural. And I think we’re the bridge builders.”

The tractor – a bright orange, freshly painted Allis Chalmers WD – is the same model he drove on the family farm in Osceola, he said. He and his sons worked to restore the one he rode Tuesday.

It took him about 85 minutes maxing out at 11 miles an hour to get to and from the Capitol.

But after a day that saw the House of Representatives debate controversial budget bills from morning until midnight, he said the drive home was calm and peaceful. He said he only met four cars – and a group of enthusiastic bar patrons who waved from a patio on Grand Ave.

“I did that frankly for my grandfather and then just to remind people that there are some urban legislators like I am that have rural backgrounds and rural roots,” he said. “And I thought nothing would be a better tribute to farmers than to drive in on a tractor.”

Original story from the Des Moines Register:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/20/iowa-lawmaker-drives-tractor-statehouse-honor-grandpa/83279572/

House Republicans released their 2016 general fund budget targets, and for the fifth year in a row, we have proposed a budget that spends less than the state will take in.

For fiscal year 2016, the state would spend $7,168,144,634. This amounts to a 2.48 percent increase in state spending and spends 99.9 percent of the Revenue Estimating Conference’s latest estimate for ongoing revenue.

The general fund would be spent as follows:

Administration & Regulation: $49,800,000 (decrease of $1,995,769)

Agriculture & Natural Resources: $42,000,000 (decrease of $1,111,995)

Economic Development: $41,400,000 (decrease of $1,181,886)

Education: $977,578,044 (decrease of $8,558,321)

Health & Human Services: (decrease of $14,859,686)

Justice Systems: (decrease of $3,380,575)

Standings: (increase of $204,905,562)

As has been stated since the start of the session, K-12 education which is funded out of the standings budget area is getting the first bite of the apple, with funding for the teacher leadership program as well as a 1.25 percent increase in supplemental state aid to schools.

Also, included in the Republican budget is the backfill to local governments for the property tax cut. The budget will also address mandatory increases in Medicaid due to further declines in federal funding participation.

House Republicans believe that it is important to lead by example when holding the line on spending. This is done by reducing the Legislature’s own budget by over $1 million below the 2015 level.

We’re not buying a used car. Senate Democrats started off at 6 percent or $294 million, then moved to 4 percent or $212 million and now to 2.625 percent or to $155 million. This has been a cold political calculation from the start for Senate Democrats. They believe it is politically advantageous for them to cast Republicans as anti-education. They are interested in political gain, not funding schools.

The first bill House Republicans approved in 2015 was school funding. This could have been solved in February. Schools are getting the first bite of the apple when it comes to state spending.

STATE REP. ROB TAYLOR, R-West Des Moines, represents District 44, which includes portions of Clive, Waukee and West Des Moines in Dallas County. He can be reached by phone at 281-3221 or by email at rob.taylor@legis.iowa.gov.

Story from DSM Register: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/community/2015/05/01/rob-taylor-education-funding-budget/26685063/

State Rep. Rob Taylor will seek reelection to the Iowa House, after thinking long and hard about a run for higher office.

Taylor, R-West Des Moines, announced his decision in a statement provided to the Des Moines Register.

He said he was encouraged in recent weeks to consider running both for the Congressional seat that will be vacant this year with the retirement of U.S. Rep. Tom Latham and the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, whose incumbent is running for Congress.

“After many days of thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, the best option for my wife, children and constituents is for me to stay in the Iowa House of Representatives and continue fighting for common sense, down-to-earth practical solutions for the people of Iowa,” he said in the statement.

Taylor is a first-term representative from House District 44, covering Des Moines’ fast-growing western suburbs including all of Waukee and part of West Des Moines, Clive and rural Dallas County.

Had he opted to run for Congress, Taylor would’ve faced a crowded GOP field. In addition to Secretary of State Matt Schultz, state Sen. Brad Zaun, businessman Robert Cramer, renewable fuels advocate Monte Shaw and former congressional staffer David Young, among others, have already declared candidacies.

West Des Moines, IA – Today, Representative Rob Taylor announced he is running for re-election to the Iowa House. Taylor said, “Last week the Iowa Legislature gaveled in to continue work for the people of Iowa. As I reflected last week, I couldn’t help but be humbled by the faith that my constituents have put in me to represent them at the Capitol. Iowa is on the go, and we need elected officials serving all Iowans to keep building that momentum for a greater future. I’m proud to have been part of that movement as a State Representative.

“With the recent announcement of Congressman Latham’s retirement and the announcement that the Office of Secretary of State will be vacated, I’ve been blessed to have many friends, colleagues and constituents encourage me consider running for higher office. After many days of thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, the best option for my wife, children and constituents is for me to stay in the Iowa House of Representatives and continue fighting for common sense, down-to-earth practical solutions for the people of Iowa. My passion lies in Iowa and to the constituents of District 44 that sent me to the capitol; therefore, I will once again be a candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives District 44.

“As we forge ahead this year, I will continue to focus on crafting and supporting legislation that will result in good paying jobs that help restore and grow Iowa’s economy. I will continue to practice common-sense business principles and apply them to state government, practicing the philosophy that we spend less than we take in. There will also be much work to do in regards to the changes required in healthcare because of the impact of the Accountable Care Act on all Iowans. Finally, I will continue to work on the restoration of Iowa as a leader in education and technology, creating stability for taxpayers and employers that will provide the foundation for prosperity for Iowa for many years to come.

“I believe that I can best serve the people of Iowa and do the greatest good by continuing to serve as a State Representative in the Iowa General Assembly. Thank you to all who have faith in my leadership abilities and continue to encourage me to do the greatest good.”

Representative Taylor represents Iowa House District 44, which includes Waukee, the Dallas County portion of West Des Moines and Dallas County portion of Clive. For more information, or to learn more about Rob, please visit www.taylorforiowa.com.

West Des Moines Republican brings experience in business, education to House

Rob Taylor will be thinking of his own experiences in small business as he tackles issues at the Statehouse this legislative session.

The West Des Moines Republican defeated Democrat Eric Brenneman to represent the newly-created House District 44, which includes portions of West Des Moines, Waukee and Clive.

“I thought we needed common-sense, down-to-earth, practical business people to step up and serve the public,” Taylor, 41, said of his reason for running.

As a part-time educator at Des Moines Area Community College and William Penn University, Taylor said some of his greatest contributions to the Legislature likely will come on the education front. He also works full time for BG Beller Distributing of Iowa, a petroleum company.

Taylor will serve as vice chairman of both the education appropriations subcommittee and the House environmental protection committee. He also has been appointed to the commerce, economic growth and human resources committees.

Taylor said he would like to see a focus on finding efficiencies within the state’s education budget instead of raising spending, though he acknowledged it may be an unpopular position with other lawmakers, teachers and school board members.

“There’s absolutely no excuse why we shouldn’t be in the top five states in the nation” when it comes to education, he said. “It’s about getting down to the nitty gritty of how we’re spending our money and where is the inefficiency.”

Taylor also is opposed to using one-time funding to finance educational programs and said he would like Regent institutions to look at more ways they could save money and ultimately lower tuition costs.

A debate is already under way over how to spend about $800 million in surplus revenue the state will have as a result of a strong economy and modest budgeting in recent years.

Lawmakers have expressed interest in investing the money in infrastructure, education and tax credits, or in returning it to Iowans in the form of tax cuts.

Taylor said he is cautious about using any of the money until there is more certainty in the federal financial situation.

“The reaction initially is to grab some of the money and use it,” he said. “My stance is, we need to be very conservative with the overage right now until we have more certainty as to what’s going to happen” with health care reform and federal taxation.

One thing he said is certain is the need for lawmakers to have a productive session. Taylor is optimistic having new representatives in the Iowa House can help make that happen.

“Inaction is not an option any longer,” he said. “We have a brand new legislature with a lot of freshmen. With fresh faces and varied experiences, it brings a certain amount of energy and youth to the Legislature that I think we need to be able to move forward.”

Dallas County residents wishing to cast an absentee ballot for the November 6 elections may do so at any of the following satellite locations. Same-day voter registration and registration changes may be made at the satellite locations when casting your ballot.

In addition to the locations shown, you may also cast your absentee ballot during office hours at the County Auditor’s Office at 910 Court Street in Adel, beginning September 27.

It’s 104 degrees and you’re running for office. What do you do? You go door knocking.

At least that’s what Rob Taylor did Monday night.

Taylor is running for the Iowa House in District 44 against West Des Moines firefighter Eric Brenneman. The district includes the Dallas County portions of Waukee, West Des Moines and Clive. He said nothing, not even 100 degree plus temperatures, could deter him from getting out and meeting his constituents.

“I think this is great preparation for November,” he said. “We are very passionate about hitting the streets and knocking on every door in the district before election day.”

Taylor said he’s been out going door-to-door since March. In the last three weeks alone, he said, he and his team have knocked on approximately 800 doors in the district.

Yes, he said, it’s hot outside but that’s worked to his benefit, he said.

“The best part about it being 100 degrees is that most everyone is home,” Taylor joked. “It also means I get to introduce myself to as many people as possible.”